Five million people gathered to march in 28 of 36 Nigerian states, protesting the beheading of a pastor.

Lawan Andimi was beheaded by Islamic militant group Boko Haram in late January 2020.

The march was organized in protest of Andimi's death and the failure of the Nigerian government to stop abductions and killings, reports Evangelical Focus.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) organized the march, which took place on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2020. The march was the final event following a three-day fast.

"Nigerian Christians are under attack. Buhari acts now," read posters made by participants in the march. "Our values and way of life will prevail, the killings will not."

CAN President Samson Ayokunle says the protest took on a new dimension from other events the organization has held.

In January 2020, 100 people died due to acts of terrorism and unrest between Muslim herdsmen and Christian farmers.

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is also denouncing violence against Christians in Nigeria.

According to the WEA, in 2019, around 45 per cent of Christians killed for their faith around the world came from Nigeria. Of around 3,000 Christian deaths last year, approximately 1,350 were in Nigeria.

Ephraim Tendero, WEA secretary general, says the organization is urging Nigeria's president and government to end the attacks.

The WEA also asked President Buhari to "decisively combat the prevailing impunity for killings and to ensure international accountability," as well as improve efforts to free hostages held in captivity by Boko Haram in Nigeria.

President Buhari has stated that "we might all learn from the faith and works of Pastor Andimi," saying the pastor "acted selflessly in so many regards, giving alms and prayers to both Christians and Muslims who suffered at the hands of the terrorists.

"He passed from us, rightly refusing to renounce his faith that was not for his captors to take, any more than his life," Buhari continued.

"His belief and his deeds are a lesson and an inspiration to all of us."

Buhari has also stated there is no place in Nigeria for those seeking to divide the country by religion or for those who compel others to forcibly change their faith.